ÉPEHY WOOD FARM CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.00631 Longitude: 3.11905
Location Information
Épehy is a village between Cambrai and Péronne about 18 kilometres north-east of Péronne.
Épehy Wood Farm Cemetery is a little west of the village and on the north side of the road to Saulcourt.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The village of Épehy was captured at the beginning of April 1917. It was lost on 22 March 1918 after a spirited defence by the Leicester Brigade of the 21st Division and the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers. It was retaken (in the Battle of Épehy) on 18 September 1918, by the 7th Norfolks, 9th Essex and 1st/1st Cambridgeshires of the 12th (Eastern) Division.
The cemetery takes its name from the Ferme du Bois, a little to the east. Plots I and II were made by the 12th Division after the capture of the village, and contain the graves of officers and men who died in September 1918 (or, in a few instances, in April 1917 and March 1918). Plots III-VI were made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields surrounding Épehy and the following smaller cemeteries:-
DEELISH VALLEY CEMETERY, EPEHY, in the valley running from South-West to North-East a mile East of Épehy village. It contained the graves of 158 soldiers from the United Kingdom (almost all of the 12th Division) who fell in September, 1918.
ÉPEHY NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, on the South side of the village, contained the graves of 100 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in August, 1917-March, 1918 and in September, 1918.
ÉPEHY R.E. CEMETERY, 150 yards North of the New British Cemetery. It contained the graves of 31 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in April-December, 1917, and of whom 11 belonged to the 429th Field Company, Royal Engineers.
The cemetery now contains 997 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 235 of the burials are unidentified but there are additional special memorials to 29 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to two casualties buried in Épehy New British Cemetery, whose graves could not be found when that cemetery was concentrated.
Total Burials: 997.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 762.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 235.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and John Reginald Truelove
Dedications
49648 Private Charles Eli Kyte, 9th Bn. Essex Regiment, 18th September 1918, aged 20. Plot I. B. 10. Son of Henry and Mary Kyte, of 7, West St., South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Remembered by Peter Harvey (1st Cousin Removed) and family
82685 Private Arthur Benjamin Moreby, 2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers, Formerly 13604 Middlesex Regiment. 10th September 1918. Plot III. E. 9.
Remembered by great nieces Ann Barker, Gillian Wade, Bernadette McKenzie and Theresa Joy
Épehy is a village between Cambrai and Péronne about 18 kilometres north-east of Péronne.
Épehy Wood Farm Cemetery is a little west of the village and on the north side of the road to Saulcourt.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The village of Épehy was captured at the beginning of April 1917. It was lost on 22 March 1918 after a spirited defence by the Leicester Brigade of the 21st Division and the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers. It was retaken (in the Battle of Épehy) on 18 September 1918, by the 7th Norfolks, 9th Essex and 1st/1st Cambridgeshires of the 12th (Eastern) Division.
The cemetery takes its name from the Ferme du Bois, a little to the east. Plots I and II were made by the 12th Division after the capture of the village, and contain the graves of officers and men who died in September 1918 (or, in a few instances, in April 1917 and March 1918). Plots III-VI were made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields surrounding Épehy and the following smaller cemeteries:-
DEELISH VALLEY CEMETERY, EPEHY, in the valley running from South-West to North-East a mile East of Épehy village. It contained the graves of 158 soldiers from the United Kingdom (almost all of the 12th Division) who fell in September, 1918.
ÉPEHY NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, on the South side of the village, contained the graves of 100 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in August, 1917-March, 1918 and in September, 1918.
ÉPEHY R.E. CEMETERY, 150 yards North of the New British Cemetery. It contained the graves of 31 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in April-December, 1917, and of whom 11 belonged to the 429th Field Company, Royal Engineers.
The cemetery now contains 997 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 235 of the burials are unidentified but there are additional special memorials to 29 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to two casualties buried in Épehy New British Cemetery, whose graves could not be found when that cemetery was concentrated.
Total Burials: 997.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 762.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 235.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and John Reginald Truelove
Dedications
49648 Private Charles Eli Kyte, 9th Bn. Essex Regiment, 18th September 1918, aged 20. Plot I. B. 10. Son of Henry and Mary Kyte, of 7, West St., South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Remembered by Peter Harvey (1st Cousin Removed) and family
82685 Private Arthur Benjamin Moreby, 2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers, Formerly 13604 Middlesex Regiment. 10th September 1918. Plot III. E. 9.
Remembered by great nieces Ann Barker, Gillian Wade, Bernadette McKenzie and Theresa Joy
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Mid to late 1940's ©CWGC
50287 Rifleman
Sidney Reginald Frederick Barker
King's Royal Rifle Corps, posted to 6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
10th September 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. D. 10.
Son of Alfred and Caroline Barker, of Cambridge.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died, For Us To Save His Loving Mum, Dad, Sisters, Brothers"
Sidney Reginald Frederick Barker
King's Royal Rifle Corps, posted to 6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
10th September 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. D. 10.
Son of Alfred and Caroline Barker, of Cambridge.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died, For Us To Save His Loving Mum, Dad, Sisters, Brothers"
Private 29633
Francis Barnes
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment,
22nd March 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. K. 2.
Son of John & Minnie Barnes of Swinton, East Yorkshire enlisted into the Wagoner's Reserves shortly after war broke out in 1914 and later transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in the battle for the village of Epehy.
Picture courtesy of Andrew Hilton, great, great nephew of Francis Barnes
Francis Barnes
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment,
22nd March 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. K. 2.
Son of John & Minnie Barnes of Swinton, East Yorkshire enlisted into the Wagoner's Reserves shortly after war broke out in 1914 and later transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in the battle for the village of Epehy.
Picture courtesy of Andrew Hilton, great, great nephew of Francis Barnes
20146 Private
Thomas Daly
20th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
21st August 1917, aged 30.
Plot III. L. 4.
Pictures courtesy of great nephew, Noel Daly
Thomas Daly
20th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
21st August 1917, aged 30.
Plot III. L. 4.
Pictures courtesy of great nephew, Noel Daly
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Click on image to enlarge
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11748 Private
William Green, M. M.
9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
21st September 1918, aged 33.
Plot VI. G. 11.
Born in Brentford son of John & Ellen Green, husband of Eliza, home in The Avenue, West Ealing, London. Father of Ellen born 1911 and Alice born 1912.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till The Day Dawns"
MM, awarded 'for his gallant conduct as stretcher bearer throughout the recent operations'.
Submitted by Fred Harman - a proud grandson.
William Green, M. M.
9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
21st September 1918, aged 33.
Plot VI. G. 11.
Born in Brentford son of John & Ellen Green, husband of Eliza, home in The Avenue, West Ealing, London. Father of Ellen born 1911 and Alice born 1912.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till The Day Dawns"
MM, awarded 'for his gallant conduct as stretcher bearer throughout the recent operations'.
Submitted by Fred Harman - a proud grandson.
L10583 Private
James George Heath
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
18th September 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of James and Mary E. J. Heath, of 92, Clarendon Rd., Hove, Sussex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Never Forgotten"
Picture courtesy of Susan Attwood (Great niece)
James George Heath
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
18th September 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of James and Mary E. J. Heath, of 92, Clarendon Rd., Hove, Sussex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Never Forgotten"
Picture courtesy of Susan Attwood (Great niece)
Battle of Epehy. British wounded and German prisoner sharing a cigarette at an advanced dressing station near Epehy, 18 September 1918. Note captured German Maxim 08/15 (Spandau) light machine guns in the background. © IWM (Q 11538)
92884 Private
Richard Higham
Royal Fusiliers, posted to 2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
10th September 1918, aged 36.
Plot III. C. 15.
Husband of Mrs. C. Higham, of 42, Hume St., Warrington.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until We Meet"
Richard Higham
Royal Fusiliers, posted to 2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
10th September 1918, aged 36.
Plot III. C. 15.
Husband of Mrs. C. Higham, of 42, Hume St., Warrington.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until We Meet"
Image above © Johan Pauwels
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Image above © Johan Pauwels
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241602 Private
James Holbrook
1st/6th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
13th April 1917, aged 36.
Plot III. L. 11.
Son of John William and Mary Ann Holbrook of Rochdale. He left his widow Florence, and his three children Clifford, Frank and Ivy.
Killed in action at Malassise Farm, Epehy, France
Picture courtesy of James Holbrook's Great Granddaughter, Gail Campbell of Rochdale, Lancashire
James Holbrook
1st/6th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
13th April 1917, aged 36.
Plot III. L. 11.
Son of John William and Mary Ann Holbrook of Rochdale. He left his widow Florence, and his three children Clifford, Frank and Ivy.
Killed in action at Malassise Farm, Epehy, France
Picture courtesy of James Holbrook's Great Granddaughter, Gail Campbell of Rochdale, Lancashire
325089 Corporal
William Jennings, M. M.
1st/1st Bn. Cambridgeshire Regiment
23rd September 1918.
Plot I. A. 14.
Son of James and Caroline Jennings of Church Street, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 11th October 1916.
His date of death is incorrectly recorded as 23rd September 1916 on his headstone and by the CWGC on their Debt of Honour Register.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Mark Ward
William Jennings, M. M.
1st/1st Bn. Cambridgeshire Regiment
23rd September 1918.
Plot I. A. 14.
Son of James and Caroline Jennings of Church Street, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 11th October 1916.
His date of death is incorrectly recorded as 23rd September 1916 on his headstone and by the CWGC on their Debt of Honour Register.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Mark Ward
G/92942 Private
Frederick Roberts Mannering
2nd/4th Bn. London Regiment, (Royal Fusiliers)
10th September 1918, aged 18.
Plot II. A. 6.
Son of Richard Henry and Jane Mannering, of Juniper Cottage, Hardley, Hythe, Southampton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Paul Menniss
Frederick Roberts Mannering
2nd/4th Bn. London Regiment, (Royal Fusiliers)
10th September 1918, aged 18.
Plot II. A. 6.
Son of Richard Henry and Jane Mannering, of Juniper Cottage, Hardley, Hythe, Southampton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Paul Menniss
Second Lieutenant
Stanley Martin, M. M.
2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
18th September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. E. 6.
Son of Charles Alfred and Maria Martin, of 22, Hatherley Rd., Reading.
His headstone bears the inscription "Not Farewell Beloved Only Goodnight"
Stanley Martin enlisted in 1914 at the age of 17. He served with great distinction first in the Berkshire Regiment being sent to France on the 30th March 1915, and later, after being commissioned, in the London Regiment. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in 1917 and was killed at the Battle of Epehy on September 18th 1918 just weeks before the Armistice. Here is a citation on his military career from the Reading Remembrance Trust :
The Reading Chronicle, 4 October 1918, published Stanley's obituary, and details of the action were reproduced. Stanley’s commanding office wrote to his parents Charles and Maria:
‘Your son was killed leading his platoon against a German post in the village; they were fired on by a machine gun and your son at once charged it gallantly with a few men. He fell killed instantaneously. Your son can ill be spared, either as a soldier or a friend. It may be some satisfaction to you to know that the attack was entirely successful. We captured the village and drove the Germans away two miles the other side. The village was held by crack German troops, the Alpine Corps Jaegers (riflemen), who fought very bravely, holding on in the village until the evening.’
Pictures courtesy of Donald and Martin Stubbs; great nephews of Stanley Martin
16007 Lance Corporal
William James Meekins
1st/1st Bn. Cambridgeshire Regiment.
23rd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. J. 8.
Son of William James Meekins, of 22, Fletcher Rd., Acton Green, London. Born at Bury St. Edmund's.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone From Us But Never Forgotten Rest In Peace"
Picture courtesy of Jacqui Meekins, Great niece of this soldier
William James Meekins
1st/1st Bn. Cambridgeshire Regiment.
23rd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. J. 8.
Son of William James Meekins, of 22, Fletcher Rd., Acton Green, London. Born at Bury St. Edmund's.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone From Us But Never Forgotten Rest In Peace"
Picture courtesy of Jacqui Meekins, Great niece of this soldier
82769 Corporal
John Horace Murray
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
18th September 1918.
Plot I. F. 8.
Picture courtesy of great nephew Andrew Hawkins
John Horace Murray
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
18th September 1918.
Plot I. F. 8.
Picture courtesy of great nephew Andrew Hawkins
Lieutenant
Leslie Gilbert Ring
3rd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
18th September 1918, aged 30.
Plot I. G. 15.
Son of James Claude Ring formerly of Camberwell & Kate Maria Ring (Vinsen) formerly of Cambridge. Brother of Gus & Claude. All lived in New Zealand.
Picture courtesy of Tony Ring
Leslie Gilbert Ring
3rd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
18th September 1918, aged 30.
Plot I. G. 15.
Son of James Claude Ring formerly of Camberwell & Kate Maria Ring (Vinsen) formerly of Cambridge. Brother of Gus & Claude. All lived in New Zealand.
Picture courtesy of Tony Ring
7429 Private
Alexander Cameron Sellars
Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 65th (3/3rd W. Lancs), 65th Field Ambulance
18th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 7.
Son of George and Mary Sellars of Falkirk, Stirlingshire.
Killed by a shell striking shelter where he was sleeping
Added by Gordon Gowan - my grandmother was his sister
Alexander Cameron Sellars
Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 65th (3/3rd W. Lancs), 65th Field Ambulance
18th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 7.
Son of George and Mary Sellars of Falkirk, Stirlingshire.
Killed by a shell striking shelter where he was sleeping
Added by Gordon Gowan - my grandmother was his sister
52065 Private
Jack Shelton
2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
7th September 1918.
Plot V. 1. 14.
Private Jack Shelton, No 52065 of the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, killed in action on the 7th September 1918 during the advance towards the Hindenburg Line at Epehy. Left a widow and two children.
Formerly a professional football player with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke, being part of the Wolves F.A. Cup winning team of 1908. He is pictured in uniform wearing his F.A. Cup winners' medal.
The family managed to keep a very important trophy of Jack Shelton's from his playing days at Wolves. In those days it sometimes happened that, in addition to a gold F.A. Cup winner's medal, each player on the winning side was presented with a half size silver facsimile of the F.A. Cup itself. Despite what must have been great temptation to sell it over the years (as these cups are very valuable) the family have treasured Jack Shelton's and recently gave it on long term loan to the National Football Museum, Manchester, where it is displayed alongside the real 1908 F.A. Cup of the period with his name on it along with his photograph.
Proudly remembered by his granddaughter, Maureen, his great grandson Paul, and his great great grandson Jake
Click on images below to enlarge
Jack Shelton
2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
7th September 1918.
Plot V. 1. 14.
Private Jack Shelton, No 52065 of the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, killed in action on the 7th September 1918 during the advance towards the Hindenburg Line at Epehy. Left a widow and two children.
Formerly a professional football player with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke, being part of the Wolves F.A. Cup winning team of 1908. He is pictured in uniform wearing his F.A. Cup winners' medal.
The family managed to keep a very important trophy of Jack Shelton's from his playing days at Wolves. In those days it sometimes happened that, in addition to a gold F.A. Cup winner's medal, each player on the winning side was presented with a half size silver facsimile of the F.A. Cup itself. Despite what must have been great temptation to sell it over the years (as these cups are very valuable) the family have treasured Jack Shelton's and recently gave it on long term loan to the National Football Museum, Manchester, where it is displayed alongside the real 1908 F.A. Cup of the period with his name on it along with his photograph.
Proudly remembered by his granddaughter, Maureen, his great grandson Paul, and his great great grandson Jake
Click on images below to enlarge
36348 Private
Alfred Wood
7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
13th March 1918
Special Memorial 1.
His headstone bears the inscription "Killed In Action And Buried At The Time in Épehy New British Cemetery Whose Grave Is Now Lost Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
His grave could not be found when the cemetery was concentrated and his grave lies somewhere in the distance beyond his memorial.
Remembered with pride and honour by great niece Jeanette Essex
Battle of Epehy. Three soldiers resting on ground near Epehy captured by the 12th Division that day, 18th September 1918. © IWM (Q 11326)
